News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2001 CNO
SEQUOYAH COUNTY, OK - The Cherokee Nation Marshals arrested a man in connection with a shootingSunday evening.The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service responded to a call from the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, resulting in the arrest and detainment of Brian Evan Leaf, 27. Leaf allegedly shot a woman in the head earlier that day. The woman, who later identified Leaf as her assailant, was shot in the head while leaving Leaf’s residence in rural Sequoyah County. The bullet entered the front windshield and clipped the victim in the right ear before exiting through the rear window. The woman was treated at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah and released Sunday night.
When the Marshals arrived, Leaf locked himself in his residence and refused to come out. Marshals used a public address system to negotiate with Leaf, but he did not respond. Marshals then used tear gas to force him out. After twenty minutes of tear gas, Leaf surrendered. Leaf is in the Muskogee County Detention Facility where he is being held without bond.
The FBI assumed control of the situation around 11:00 pm Sunday night.
"We provided them with what they need to pursue indictment", said David Roberts, director of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. "This is the third bust we’ve made in the past week involving meth and violence on trust land where we have primary jurisdiction."
Sequoyah County officials could provide only limited assistance to the Marshals because they have not yet signed a cross-deputization agreement with the Cherokee Nation.
This is the second shooting that the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service has responded to at this residence. In 2000, the suspect’s brother, Jeffrey Leaf was arrested on manslaughter charges and is still serving time in jail for the incident. The residence is located 4.5 miles northeast of Vian in Sequoyah County on Indian trust land.
|
Related path(s) and contact information:
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma |